CUIS GHAIRE suffered her first defeat in four starts when Rip Van Winkle pounced in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday evening.
Jim Bolger's filly was installed as the 1,000 Guineas favourite after her third successive triumph in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot - but simply could not match the finishing kick of Aidan O'Brien's juvenile.
Things looked promising for followers of the 8 to 11 favourite once Kevin Manning's mount was nudged into the lead around a furlong and a half from home.
But Rip Van Winkle, anchored to the rear of the four-runner field for most of the Group Three contest, made stealthy progress under Johnny Murtagh and had a length and a quarter in reserve at the line.
Coral reacted quickly to Rip Van Winkle's effortless victory and make the Galileo colt their 8 to 1 favourite for next season's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Cuis Ghaire remains the Berkshire firm's 8 to 1 market leader for the fillies' Classic.
Murtagh and O'Brien were also successful in the opening auction maiden race when Gluteus Maximus stepped up on his debut effort at Naas where he was beaten 10 lengths.
